This game begins a series of 4 games in 5 nights for the Celtics that includes a pair of back to backs. This game is the first of a set of back to back games with the second being played in New York on Wednesday night. Doc will be sitting veterans to avoid playing them in back to back games but at this point we don't know for sure who will or won't play.

Since the Celtics already beat this team 93-65 in their first game of the preseason, my guess is that Doc will sit a few of the vets in this one. Doc has singled out Shaq as one player who will definitely be sitting. We may see some of the veterans, or none of them in this game. Doc wants to rest them along with seeing more from the younger guys.

Jermaine O'Neal will likely play limited minutes again as he works his way back into game shape from his hamstring injury. But again, Doc hasn't said for sure who will play and who won't. Doc wants to take a look at Jermaine with the starters but he will probably hold off on that until a later game if he decides to sit other vets in this one.

One thing to look at will be the competition between the players who are on the bubble: Stephane Lasme, Mario West, and Von Wafer. So far, Lasme has been the most impressive of the 3, and we can expect Doc to try to give this trio more playing time in the remaining games in order to help him choose the best fit for the team to fill that 15th spot.

Team Connections
Tony Battie played for the Celtics from 1998‐2004 and drove Paul Pierce to the hospital after he was stabbed in 2000
Spencer Hawes and Nate Robinson are former Washington Huskies
Jodie Meeks and Rajon Rondo are former Kentucky Wildcats
Jason Kapono and Jermaine O’Neal were teammates in Toronto during the 2008‐09 season
Jermaine O’Neal and Sixers Assistant Coach Michael Curry were teammates in Indiana during the 2004‐05 season
Jermaine O’Neal and Sixers Assistant Coach Aaron McKie were teammates in Portland during the 1996‐97 season
Shaquille O’Neal and Jason Kapono were teammates in Miami from 2005‐07
Ray Allen was teammates with Sixers Assistant Coach Michael Curry in Milwaukee from 1997‐99
Von Wafer and Elton Brand were teammates on the Clippers during the
2006‐07 season.

According to Celtics twitter no starter plays tonight. "Shaq, KG, Ray and Paul will all sit (rest); Delonte (back spasms) will also sit out tonight. Starters: Nate, Von, Jermaine, Baby & Marquis."So it's truly a chance for Von to make an impact.